Govt. Spokesman Mwaura outlines benefits of President Ruto's 39 foreign trips 

Government spokesman Isaac Mwaura has defended President William Ruto's foreign trips citing the numerous benefits accrued from his visits abroad.

Mwaura on Wednesday confirmed Ruto has made 39 foreign visits with Kenya having hosted over 30 heads of state and governments since he was sworn in as President on 13 September last year.

"Since his assumption of office, President Ruto has stepped up diplomatic outreaches with various countries with the aim of diversifying economic ties and deepening foreign relations. He has overseen the signing of mega bilateral and multilateral agreements further stamping Kenya’s authority as a diplomatic powerhouse," Mwaura said during a media briefing at Harambee House.

During his recent visits to Saudi Arabia, Mwaura said the President has secured 350,000 job opportunities for Kenyans to work in the Gulf nation and sealed investments in renewable energy.

The Spokesman said during the talks with the UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Ruto inked deals worth $5bn in investments in Kenya.

Mwaura said the President also signed a $60m program with Millennium Challenge Corporation CEO

Alice Albright to help electrify buses that operate in Nairobi as well as bagging a $75m EU grant for green investments.

Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura during a media briefing at Harambee House on 15 November 2023. (Photo: Spokesperson GoK)

Another key deal the spokesman cited was the availing of $863 million by the Development Finance Corporation to

Kenyan companies to fund health, MSMEs and Agribusiness facilitating private sector investment in key sectors of the economy.

Chinese deals

During his trips to the Far East, Mwaura said Chinese President Xi Jinping committed his country to open their markets to Kenyan agricultural produce and signed an MoU aimed at easing doing business with Kenya and Tuesday's cancellation of visa appointments for Kenyans by the Chinese Embassy.

China also signed an MoU aimed at boosting investments in renewable energy within Kenya and another with Chinese telecommunication company Huawei to expedite Kenya’s digital transformation.

Last month, the President hit back at critics of his numerous foreign trips, saying he is the country's chief ambassador and that his trips are for the benefit of Kenyans.

"There are those who say I am flying out a lot, but they forget I'm the country's chief ambassador and I have to look for job opportunities for Kenyans," Ruto said.

According to a report by the Controller of Budget, for the year starting July 2022 and June 2023, the total expenditure for the Presidency was Sh20.1 billion, with foreign travel accounting for Sh361.7 million.